athoughtofherown

It’s usually when a crisis hits that we suddenly want to prepare and get our ducks in a row — and rightfully so. In our current economy (in whatever form it comes), or even within your own personal life, you may be experiencing shifts that make you aware of things that need tending to.

Lately, something that has been sitting heavily on my heart is preparing my home and making each area plentiful… extra towels and bedding, toiletries, first aid, and food. Today, I want to focus on the kitchen — specifically the food pantry and medicine cabinets.

Recently, I’ve started stocking up on dry goods. My mother always taught me to buy an extra bag of rice and beans every time I went grocery shopping. I did it, but not consistently. But due to recent events, I’ve become much more diligent about stocking my home. And what a blessing it is to refill my space and not have to run to the grocery store every time something is needed.

I’m still growing in this area, learning what’s practical to keep on hand, paying attention to shelf life, storage, and the things we truly use.

Shortly after leaning into this revelation, my son became sick — and I realized that many of the things I should have already had at home, I ended up needing to run out and grab. And that is such a frustrating feeling. The last thing you want, especially with sick children or when you’re not feeling well yourself, is to have to leave home just to pick up basic essentials.

There is never a good time to be unprepared when you have a family.

But this pushed me to think more intentionally about the things that matter most in a home — the items that should be in the medicine cabinet, the foods that should live in the pantry. And it also made me appreciate the way so many of our grandmothers kept their homes. They rarely, if ever, had to leave the house to care for us. They always had everything on hand and ready to go. I love that so much, and I deeply desire to be that way.

Whether it was medicine for adults or children, a meal or a snack, something warm to drink — grandma always had something to soothe you, tucked somewhere in her cabinets.

As a woman, a wife, and a mother, I think that is an art we should all learn… creating a home that cares for you, a home that holds you.

One way I’m doing that is by stocking up on essentials. Lots of grains and pastas. I have some experience with bread making, which I plan to continue, so I’ve added large bags of flour, plenty of yeast, sugars, and a variety of oils to my pantry. I’ve also made sure our medicine cabinet is stocked with everything we need — and nothing expired. Little things like this go such a long way.

Buying in bulk has been a game changer, especially when you focus on buying ingredients in bulk. Always having onions and garlic on hand. Russet and sweet potatoes. Plenty of rice. I’m learning that these staples stretch further than I realized.

I’m still building my cabinets as life continues on, but I want to stay steady in creating a home that is prepared — just like the grandmothers before us.

If you have suggestions for what you keep in your home so that your home cares for you, I would love to hear them.